ATHENS, Ga. - North Florida women's tennis nearly won its second match against a Big Ten opponent in program history, although a 3-2 lead wasn't enough as the Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1) came back to win, 4-3, in UNF's final match at the ITA Kickoff Weekend Saturday, Jan. 29.
It was UNF's third consecutive match against a Power Five team to open the year. North Florida (0-3) won its last meeting with a Big Ten team, downing Penn State in 2020.
How it Happened
- Iowa gathered a 1-0 lead after the doubles point despite a dominant win by Kit Gulihur and Isabel Oliveira at the one slot.
- Gulihur kept her stellar play going in singles, cruising past Iowa's Marisa Schmidt, 6-1, 6-1, to even things up. Annabelle Davis was right behind Gulihur, putting UNF up in front with a straight-sets win at the three slot.
- Anslee Long and Barbora Pokoma traded blow at four singles before Pokoma edged the freshman in three sets.
- Tied 2-2, the remaining three courts looked to be a battle early. Summer Yardley was the next to finish, claiming an impressive 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win at the second singles slot to get UNF within one.
- Iowa was strong at five and six singles though, coming from behind to sweep those two matches for the 4-3 win.
Iowa 4, UNF 3
Saturday, Jan. 29 | Dan Magill Tennis Complex | Athens, Ga.
Singles competition
1. #32
Kit Gulihur (UNF) def. Marisa Schmidt (IOWA) 6-1, 6-1
2.
Summer Yardley (UNF) def. Samantha Mannix (IOWA) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
3.
Annabelle Davis (UNF) def. Michelle Bacalla (IOWA) 6-4, 6-0
4. Barbora Pokorna (IOWA) def.
Anslee Long (UNF) 6-4, 1-6, 6-2
5. Vipasha Mehra (IOWA) def.
Isabel Oliveira (UNF) 6-4, 6-1
6. Samantha Gillas (IOWA) def.
Sean Lodzki (UNF) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles Competition
1.
Kit Gulihur/
Isabel Oliveira (UNF) def. Marisa Schmidt/Samantha Gillas (IOWA) 6-1
2. Samantha Mannix/Vipasha Mehra (IOWA) def.
Summer Yardley/
Anslee Long (UNF) 6-4
3. Michelle Bacalla/Barbora Pokorna (IOWA) def.
Ana Paula Melilo/
Kendall Nash (UNF) 6-4
Match Notes
North Florida 0-3
Iowa 3-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,3,4,2,5,6)
ITA Kick-off Weekend (Women's Consolation)
Official: Karen Badger-Mabry T-3:22 A-34
Other Notes
- This was just the second time UNF has faced a Big Ten team, and the second time in two seasons.
- It was the first meeting between UNF and Iowa.
- North Florida has faced three Power Five teams to open the season.
- Gulihur and Oliveira are 3-2 as a doubles pair this season.
- It was UNF's first neutral site match of the season.
Up Next
UNF goes to USF Feb. 4 for a 1:30 p.m. first serve.
